Review: The Long Weekend by Savita Kalhan

          

        

Title: The Long Weekend

Author: Savita Kalhan

Pages: 180

Publisher: Anderson Press

Release Date: October 2nd 2008

Source:  Blog Tour

  

Sam knows that he and his friend Lloyd made a colossal mistake when they accepted the ride home. They have ended up in a dark mansion in the middle of nowhere with man who means to harm them. But Sam doesn't know how to get them out. They were trapped, then separated. Now they are alone. Will either of them get out alive? This gripping and hypnotic thriller will have you reading late into the night.

The book address really important issues about child abduction and the risks of getting into a strangers car. It may not be heavily addressed but it definitely brings awareness to such a serious issue. 

I thought the friendship between Sam and Lloyd was lovely. You could really see that Sam cared for Lloyd and he put himself in danger to protect him. For an 11 year old I think that is incredibly courageous.

Despite the young teenage voice (which was done very well) I almost forgot how young they were because of their bravery and determination. Sam especially acts beyond his years whilst Lloyd lost a few. I think this was really effective as it shows how traumatic situations can affect people differently.

The book started off very slow and I felt it remained that way for most of the book. The last third of the book picked up pace and I was really enthralled but it definitely took a lot of staying power to continue to that point. 

I didn't find the book too scary though I see how it could be for younger readers which is who it is targeted towards. I found the concept a lot more creepy that the book itself. 

I did like the ending. Some of it was rather unrealistic but I loved the last chapter and how it closed the book. It concluded it nicely and felt very real.

I did enjoy this book but I personally don't feel it was the book for me. If you like thriller type books then this is probably a book for you! I know a lot of people who have loved it so don't be put off by me necessarily. 

The Long Weekend Blog Tour & Giveaway

This blog tour is hosted by Melissa at I Swim For Oceans. The link has all the dates for the tour so you can check out where to visit tomorrow! Savita was kind enough to let me interview her so here are her answers!

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Hello Alice!

Thanks for inviting me here today! I’m looking forward to answering your questions!

1.     Where did you get the idea for The Long Weekend?

The idea for the book came from a flyer that went round some of the local schools in Barnet warning that the driver of a large flashy car had been seen cruising outside schools and that he had tried to snatch children. Most kids are well aware of stranger danger, but child abduction still happens. A scenario came to my mind where something like that could happen with frightening ease, and, within a few days, I had started writing the book with Sam’s voice in my head propelling the story forward.

2.     Are any of the characters in the book based on real people?

Sam and Lloyd are two boys whose characters are based loosely on regular eleven year old boys. The character of the monster was based on a person I came across in my life, and the lives of other’s who have had the misfortune to suffer at the hands of such people.

3.     What was your favourite part of the writing process?

I really enjoyed being in Sam’s head, or was he in mine? Anyway, his voice was clear, and it was this that made the story move so quickly and made it so easy to write. Of course, the ending of the book is my favourite part.

4.     Do you have a favourite drink or snack that helps you write better?

I always eat apples at my laptop, which does mean that it gets spattered with apple juice! There’s often a cup of tea on the go, too. I make lots of tea because I forget to drink them and they end up going cold on me!

5.     Who are your top 3 YA authors?

My top 3 YA authors? I always struggle with this one because there are so many great YA authors out there! A personal favourite is Jennifer Donnelly for A Gathering Light as well as Revolution. I love Marcus Sedgwick – his writing has a darker feel to it, and I recently read Revolver and loved it. Speak by Laurie Halse Andersen was very good, so poignant – and so important to.

I’d love your followers to come over to my website, www.savitakalhan.com and have a look around, leave me a message on my message board and tell me what they think of The Long Weekend!

They can also find me on twitter http://twitter.com/#!/savitakalhan

And on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Long-Weekend-Savita-Kalhan/117223691628538

 There’s a GIVEAWAY competition for one lucky follower to win a copy of THE LONG WEEKEND. All they have to do is tell me their top 3 YA authors in your comments section. I look forward to reading their responses.


GIVEAWAY ENDED

Thanks so much for having me here, Alice!

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Thank you so much for answering all my questions! It really made me appreciate the book more!

And remember to enter this international giveaway all you have to do is leave a comment below with your top 3 YA authors! Good Luck!